Ethridge called back into coaching

Posted: June 28, 2010 - 11:31pm

When Kriss Ethridge stopped coaching basketball 10 years ago, she thought she might never be on a sideline again.

Then, like pieces to a puzzle, things began to fall into place, and on Monday the former Monterey and University of Texas standout was hired to take over the girls basketball program at Coronado, where she's been a teacher the past 12 years.

"I'm honored to be able to take that position," Ethridge said. "This opportunity certainly came as a surprise ... but it's a nice surprise and a great opportunity, and with my life experiences I think I can have more insight than a normal first-time head coach. Coaching has a lot to do with how you relate to players and I feel I can do that really well."

Ethridge was one of three new head coaches hired by the Lubbock Independent School District on Monday. Former Wayland Baptist assistant Brad Blalock will take over the girls basketball program at Lubbock High after leading Class 3A Breckenridge the past three seasons, and Dr. Scott Burke was chosen as the new girls soccer coach at Monterey.

Ethridge was chosen to take over the Coronado program after former coach Shirlene Hughes was removed from her position in late May. Hughes filed a grievance last week in an attempt to get her job back, but LISD has apparently moved forward with the hiring of Ethridge.

LISD athletic director Mark Ball declined to comment on the Hughes grievance hearing, referring all inquiries to the school district's attorney.

In regard to the hiring of Ethridge, Ball said he looked for someone who was not only a great teacher but who could step into the program and continue the level of success Hughes built.

"There's a lot of good stuff with that basketball program over there and I didn't think we needed to find someone who would revamp the whole system," Ball said. "I think her credibility with the students over there, her credibility with the faculty and the fact that she's kept up with basketball ... I don't think there was anybody better to fit the situation over there than her."

Ethridge has been a teacher at Coronado since 1998 and has also coached basketball, golf and softball at the school. She was honored as the Quadrant 1 LISD Teacher of the Year in 2010 and the 2005 Texas Tech/ING Teacher of the Year.

After leading Monterey to the 1981 state title as a player and earning all-state honors, Ethridge played at the University of Texas and was a student assistant coach on the 1985-86 national championship team. She has also assisted in coordinating women's basketball camps at Kansas State where her sister, Kamie, is an assistant coach.

Most recently, she has been an assistant golf coach for the three LISD schools as well as an assistant softball coach at Coronado. She coached junior varsity basketball at the school from 1998 to 2000.

"I guess at the time I had to let it go," Ethridge said of basketball. "I had some family issues that came up during that time and I really just wanted to be focused on that. After that I got involved in teaching and did well there. Then, when the golf position came open and the Barkers needed help with that program it was something I enjoyed doing and I knew I could coach it."

Ethridge said she is not worried about stepping into a contentious situation with how the Coronado opening came about.

"Coach Hughes has done a great job there," Ethridge said. "The kids want to believe that we are going to continue on and things are going to be fine. We are in it for them and we are going to look out for everybody's best interest. We all have to make changes in our lives and sometimes what we want is just unexpected. I think the kids are what are most important and they will see an easy transition."

Blalock, a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, led the Lady Bucks from a one-win program before his first season to a playoff team the past two. Prior to his stint in Breckenridge, Blalock was an assistant coach at Class 5A Rockwall, helping lead the school to a 40-0 record and the state title in 2007.

Blalock takes over for Kyle Hendrix, who left for an administrative job. Blalock will be in charge of an LHS program that has struggled to be competitive at the Class 5A level, much less make the playoffs.

Burke, a trained dentist who became a coach after losing a thumb in an accident, was hired as the girls soccer coach at Monterey.

Burke is a former semi-pro soccer player who has coached several club teams, one of which finished fifth at the 2010 World Championships in Florida. He is a graduate of the University of Texas dental branch in Houston and will teach science at Monterey.

Under former coach Paul Vann, the Lady Plainsmen finished 9-7-4 in 2010 and 7-7-4 in District 2-5A, finishing in fifth place for the second consecutive season.

"Scott is a quality individual," Ball said. "Unfortunately with his career he had an accident and had to make a choice about what he wanted to do. We wanted to find a person with the passion for (soccer) and he continued to stay involved with soccer his whole life and has passion for it."

"And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how he fit the teaching field of science. Those are not easy to find when you look for math and science.

"I know in the Metroplex a lot of the good high school coaches came from club backgrounds. We hope he can do the same thing here."